Symbolism In The Scarlet Ibis By James Hurst

The Scarlet Ibis Symbolism Analysis

In his short story “The Scarlet Ibis,” James Hurst writes about a man who expresses a recollection of his past, reminiscing about his childhood and brother Doodle from a now mature perspective; while associating him with a precious scarlet ibis. The narrator begins explaining the birth of his younger brother, William Armstrong. William was born an unnatural red color and was wrinkly as if he were an old man. At first glance, the narrator condemned his brother to be a disappointment, due to having a disability that barred him from the ability to run, jump, or swim. No one believed William would survive, but he overcame their expectations. The narrator felt that his brother’s personality conflicted with his

As Doodle grew older, it was evident that he was out of place as well as misjudged not only by his brother but by most of his family as well. The family built Doodle a coffin believing that he wouldn't survive. Doodle managed to prosper and eventually learned to crawl and talk although he still had to be rolled around in a cart everywhere. The narrator felt that Doodle was a burden so he decided to teach Doodle how to walk. He did this because he was embarrassed to have a disabled brother. As time continued, Doodle learned how to walk. One day, as the family ate dinner as they heard a noise coming from outside their house. They ventured outside to investigate when they discovered a peculiar bird sitting on the bleeding tree in their front yard. Everyone gathered around to observe this strange bird as it was unfamiliar to the area. This wondrous red was a scarlet ibis that had been blown in by a storm. When Doodle saw the bird he was immediately in awe. The bird tried to fly away when we receive the quote “At that moment the bird began to flutter, but the wings were uncoordinated, and amid much flapping and a spray of feathers, it tumbled down, bumping through the limbs of the bleeding tree

The Ibis is weak from its extensive travel; it was no longer able to pull through in its final moments. The bird has been thrown into an unfamiliar area from the storm and died a lonely death. The bird struggled so much trying to survive the storm for it to not even pay off in the end, it has tried so hard to live just to pass away. Doodle worked so diligently to survive and crawl when all he had was doubt just to die. The bird had passed on so Doodle took the time to give it a proper burial. Later on, the narrator makes a plan to teach Doodle how to run and row before school starts. Through this selfish desire, Doodle is led to his death. As the two were trying to row, a storm started to roll in so they evacuated their boat. The narrator’s plan failed so he ran as fast as he could and left Doodle behind. As an act of compassion, he came back for his younger brother, although he was too late. “He lay very awkwardly with his head thrown far back making his vermillion neck appear unusually long and slim. His little legs bent sharply at the knees, he had never before seemed so fragile, so thin.” (Huges, 354). The Scarlet Ibis and Doodle both mention having their heads thrown back, and